Collapsible basket

ABSTRACT

A collapsible basket has a base, two end frames, two side-frames and multiple dowel pins. A size of the collapsible basket can be reduced by folding the frames toward the base. Moreover, the end frames and the side-frames can are attached to the base making the collapsible basket easy to assemble and collapse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a basket, especially to a collapsiblebasket formed by mounting a base frame to multiple frames.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various products have been manufactured for storage and to easetransportation of smaller items including boxes and baskets. The boxesare commonly formed rigidly and are sealable and used for long-termstorage to guard against dust. Conversely, the basket comprises openinterlaced fibers of metal, plastic or dried organic matter such aswicker or rattan, and is used for storing and transporting items infrequent use, for example, documents in an office.

The basket can be stored on a flat surface such as a floor or a shelvingunit or hung on hooks or fastening devices. The basket can be producedusing a variety of methods commonly known in the art.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a conventional basket has a base (80),multiple frames (81), comprising multiple dowel mounting bars (811) andmultiple dowel pins (812). The base (80) and the multiple frames (81)are attached to each other using the multiple connecting pins (811) andthe multiple dowel pins (812). The conventional basket is designed to beassembled and may be taken apart by a person.

However, the assembly and taking apart of the conventional basket iscomplicated. Moreover, if any dowel pins (812) are lost a gap will beformed between two adjacent frames (81) thereby reducing a loadingstrength and appearance of the basket. Therefore the basket is notconveniently collapsed for transportation and storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsiblebasket to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional basket.

In order to achieve the objective, a collapsible basket in accordancewith the present invention comprises a base having two side edges formeddiametrically to each other and each comprising a mounting bar and twoend edges. Two side frames are mounted respectively on the mounting barsof the base. Two end frames are mounted respectively on the end edges ofthe base and comprise multiple dowel pins. The dowel pins are used todetachably connect the adjacent end frames and side-frames.

A size of the collapsible basket of the present invention can be reducedby folding the frames toward the base. Moreover, the end frames and theside frames are attached to the base, making the collapsible basket easyto assemble and collapse.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible basket in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the collapsiblebasket in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the collapsiblebasket in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an operational front view of the collapsible basket in FIG. 1partially collapsed;

FIG. 5 is an operational perspective view of the collapsible basket inFIG. 1 partially collapsed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the collapsible basket in FIG. 1 fullycollapsed;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the collapsible basket in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a conventional basket in accordance withprior art; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the conventional basket in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the collapsible basket in accordancewith the present invention has a base (10), two side-frames (20), twoend frames (21, 23) and multiple dowel pins (30).

The base (10) has two end edges (12), two side edges (11) and twomounting bars (111).

The side edges (11) are defined opposite to each other. The end edges(12) are defined opposite to each other.

The mounting bars (111) are formed on and protrude from thecorresponding side edge (11).

The side-frames (20) are pivotally mounted respectively on the mountingbars (111) and each comprises a top and two hollow ends (201).

The end frames (21, 23) are pivotally mounted respectively on the endedges (12) of the base (10) and each end frame (21, 23) respectively hastwo hollow ends (201). Each end frame (21, 23) may be circular, flat,quadrangular or such like in cross section and corresponds with andaligns with the connecting hole (201). The end frame (23) may be bent toallow easier loading objects into the bracket.

With reference to FIG. 3, the multiple dowel pins (30) is mounted inboth ends of the end frames (21, 23) and the side frame (20). Each dowelpin (30) has a shaft (32) and an optional ridge (31). The ridge (31) isformed on and annularly protrudes around the shaft (32) of the dowel pin(30) to act as a stop when the dowel pin (30) is mounted to theconnecting hole (201), the side frame (20) and the end frame (21,23).The dowel pins (30) are respectively mounted detachably in the hollowends (201) of the side frame (20) and the end frame (21,23) in order toassemble or collapse the basket.

When assembling the collapsible basket, the side-frame (20) and the endframes (21, 23) are aligned to allow the shafts (32) of the dowel (30)to be respectively inserted into the corresponding hollow ends (201).The cavity formed between the base (10), side frames (20) and end frame(21, 23) is used for storage.

With further reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, to collapse thecollapsible basket, the multiple dowels pins (30) are pulled away fromthe hollow ends (201) of the side frame (20) and the end frames (21, 23)and folded toward the base (10). Then the side frames (20) are foldedtoward the base (10) and on top of the end frames (21, 23). Therefore,the basket collapses level with the mounting bars (111) and the basket'ssize is minimized to become easier for storage.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the presentinvention have been set forth in the foregoing description, togetherwith details of the structure and features of the invention, thedisclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details,especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts withinthe principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed.

1. A collapsible basket, comprising: a base frame having two end edgesdefined opposite to each other; two side edges defined opposite to eachother; and two mounting bars respectively formed on and protruding fromthe end edges; two side frames, each being pivotally mounted on one ofthe mounting bars and each comprising a top; two hollow ends; and twoend frames being pivotally mounted on one of the end edges of the baseand each having two hollow ends; and multiple dowel pins beingdetachably mounted respectively in the ends of the end frames,detachably mounted respectively in the hollow ends of the side framesand each having a shaft.
 2. The collapsible basket of claim 1, whereineach dowel pin further comprise a ridge being larger than the shaft ofthe dowel pin.
 3. The collapsible basket as claimed in claim 1, whereinone of the end frames is bent to allow easier loading.